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"Even though the core of our music is pretty much intact, we have tried out a whole lot of new things that we haven’t been close in doing before" |
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CR: Sadly a couple of days ago I read that the concert in Costa Rica was cancelled, too bad the fans were ready to burn San Jose that day. What happened, why the cancellation? Would you consider Costa Rica for a future gig?
Lord Ahriman: Yeah, I know. And it sucks big time! Apparently this cancellation is a result of the local promoter’s refusal to share our flight costs with the other promoters, which is total bullshit if you ask me. We were totally looking forward to play Costa Rica during this forth coming Latin American tour, but unfortunately it won’t happen. We understand that this cancellation will leave A LOT of you people very disappointed. And trust me, we all wish there were something we could do to change the situation, but we can’t. We do however hope that there will be another chance for us to play Costa Rica in a not too distant future.
CR: What’s the biggest difference between the Latin crowds and the ones you guys have encounter in Europe?
Lord Ahriman: Last time we toured Latin America we become completely overwhelmed and for sure taken by surprise by the totally wild, energetic and supportive crowd. And that’s something you don’t see much of here in Europe.
CR: Dark Funeral is planning a huge tour, first Latin America then North America, you guys will be very busy during a long period of time, what’s the best thing about spreading your music all over the world; does the reason for a musician to exist lies on the live shows or is this just a plus after actually making the music?
Lord Ahriman: Yeah, our booking agency (Dragon Productions) is currently hard at work on booking shows/tours for us, which is killer of course. Beside Latin and North America we have also scheduled shows in Lithuania and Greece. And I’m pretty sure there will pop up some more dates shortly. After all the time, hard work and soul you put into an album. I would say it’s like a reward to finally be able to bring it live.
CR: Having the band played in several parts of the world, bringing your music to different cultures, different attitudes, values, etc, what is that you think connects them to your music?
Lord Ahriman: Our common passion for extreme metal!
CR: The Satanic War was your first tour, what were you expecting from this tour?
Lord Ahriman: Nothing really. We were just glad to go out on our very first tour. And to meet our fans you know.
We have also brought our music into a darker, more symphonic, atmospheric and aggressive realm I think
CR: Your latest album Attera Totus Sanctus is a very good example of music development, I mean you guys sound so modern and yet primal in every tune, what do you think distinguishes this album from your previous works?
Lord Ahriman: Even though the core of our music is pretty much intact, we have tried out a whole lot of new things that we haven’t been close in doing before. Besides the fact that we have increased the speed factor quite a lot, we have also used a lot of new drum beats and rhythms. We even used Ebow on a few of the songs. We have also brought our music into a darker, more symphonic, atmospheric and aggressive realm I think. The music in itself has over the years become more serious, mature, emotional and personal for us. And I think you can easily hear that when you listen to ATTERA TOTUS SANCTUS!
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| Pic courtesy of: Metal Blast Photo |
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| "We have also brought our music into a darker, more symphonic, atmospheric and aggressive realm I think" |
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CR: Attera Totus Sanctus has received some good reviews, how important do you think the positive reviews are for an album and for a band in the long run?
Lord Ahriman: It’s always cool to receive some positive feedback on something you have created something from your own soul, but the most important is that I have satisfied my own demons. And that’s the hardest part, believe me. However, for us as a touring band it is obviously very important that we receive good reviews etc. The better reviews, the bigger interest etc, the bigger chance there is that we’ll be able to come and play to your town. That’s how it works whether you like it or not.
CR: Attera Totus Sanctus is your fist album with Regain records, how did you feel working with them in this album?
Lord Ahriman: The most important thing was that we felt that Regain was an honest and reliable label. And a label that we felt we could build up a great future together with.
CR: Some critics label this latest album as death/black metal and with some “industrial” sounds placed on the mix, some black metal fans don’t seem to like this much, do you feel that black metal is a genre in which some fans or musicians refuse to let the genre grow into a more modern sound or genre?
Lord Ahriman: If some people criticize our musical work I couldn’t care less. I’m not forcing them to buy and/or listen to our music. And most of the times, this negative criticism comes from people who was wearing dippers when I got involved in the underground scene and start listening to Black Metal myself. So who are they to judge me/us!?
CR: What would you say has been the biggest accomplishment the band has achieve in all its years of existence?
Lord Ahriman: I consider each and every album we create as a great accomplishment.
CR: Have you guys ever enter studio ready to work on a new album, and suddenly all the preconceived ideas that you had for the album disappear or just seem ridiculous and decided to change the whole “sound” of the
If some people criticize our musical work I couldn’t care less. I’m not forcing them to buy and/or listen to our music album?
Lord Ahriman: No. And if we one day would come to that point, we would definitely not give up until we were satisfied.
CR: How do you feel when band members decide to leave the band, do you think it’s better if they decide to leave because there are some artistic differences and that eventually will affect the work?
Lord Ahriman: When and if some member comes to the point when he feels that he cant put 666% into the band anymore its better he resign. No hard feelings.
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"If some people criticize our musical work I couldn’t care less. I’m not forcing them to buy and/or listen to our music" |
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CR: How do you manage to keep the essence of the band, when is going through all those changes?
Lord Ahriman: I have an extremely strong will and I am totally dedicated to what we’re doing. And since I personally take care of pretty much everything for the band, write most of the music and so on, the band has never really been affected in a negative way by the few departures we’ve had throughout the years. It’s more a matter of a loosing of a good friend than anything else. I still keep in good contact with some of the past members though.
CR: Do you think that all the touring you have done, helped the band to be more recognized and introduced you to other markets?
Lord Ahriman: Sure. Without the touring we would most likely not have reached the status that we have today.
CR: Do you feel that the goals you set up with the band to achieve have been reached after 5 full length albums?
Lord Ahriman: No. My hunger for what I am doing and my striving force is still as strong, if not stronger, these days as always.
CR: What are the future plans for Dark Funeral?
Lord Ahriman: Right now we’re basically busy planning our future live activities. Our booking agency is hard at work on booking shows and tours for us. We are also working on a live video for the song “Atrum Regina” (which was shoot in Paris during our latest European tour). We are also working on a DVD, a webstore (www.diabolicwear.com) among zillions of other things. So we’re busy as hell as usual.
CR: Well thank you very much for your time, if you had any message for all your Costarrican fans please do…
Lord Ahriman: Thanks for the interest and support! And once again, I’m deeply sorry that our schedule show in Costa Rica is cancelled. We were all looking forward to this show as much as you guys were. And I truly wish there was something we could do to change the situation, but right now it looks like we can’t do much about it. We have however expressed our great disappointment to the people who book this tour for us. And I know they are trying their utterly best to find a solution to the problem, but I’m not sure if they will succeed. Only time will tell….
By the way, fuck NO FASHION RECORDS & MNW!
